Staff Reports
In a move that exemplifies how the Biden administration is determined to put the screws to Texas’ thriving energy sector, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has taken a stand against what he claims is the federal government’s flagrant misuse of environmental laws. The latest outrage? The federal government has decided to throw the dunes sagebrush lizard onto the Endangered Species list, ostensibly to protect a creature that thrives in areas rich with oil and gas—a real win for environmentalists and a catastrophic blow to Texas landowners.
Paxton didn’t mince words when he declared the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s decision was grounded in “flawed assumptions” and “unfounded speculation” regarding climate change and its impact on the oil and gas industry. This isn’t exactly surprising, considering the current administration’s penchant for imposing burdensome regulations that stifle economic growth. Texans have already put forward conservation efforts that should quell any legitimate environmental concerns, yet here comes the federal government, crashing the oil and gas party and leaving a trail of regulatory chaos in its wake.
The long litigation history over the dunes sagebrush lizard continued Monday when Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton sued the federal government for its decision to list the rare spiny lizard under the Endangered Species Act. @eidelagarza https://t.co/hEFfPdbs2D
— Courthouse News (@CourthouseNews) September 23, 2024
The Attorney General’s office emphasized the dire implications of this bureaucratic meddling, suggesting that the excessive federal oversight not only undermines economic development in the Permian Basin but also creates “regulatory uncertainty” for hardworking Texans who just want to make a living. One has to wonder if the people in Washington have any idea what it’s like to rely on the oil industry for their livelihood—or if they care at all.
After issuing a stern 60-day warning for the Biden administration to reverse its misguided decision, Paxton has now escalated the situation by filing a lawsuit against the Department of the Interior and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The legal showdown symbolizes a broader battle for state rights and the ability for Texans to manage their own resources without Uncle Sam breathing down their necks.
As the dust settles in El Paso and Dallas, it’s clear that Paxton is not backing down. His office made it perfectly clear that defending the Texas economy and property rights against federal overreach is their priority. If the Biden administration thinks it can capsize Texas’ oil and gas industry with a mere pen stroke, it should brace itself for a serious legal challenge. The Lone Star State is ready to battle for its economic freedom, one lawsuit at a time, and it looks like this isn’t going away anytime soon.
